Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-16
THE COURT OF EQUITY.
A LETTER ON THE SUBJECT RR0K
JUDGE HoLLApAY.
BE Earnestly Yavors the Establishment
Of the New Court and Gives
Reasons.

The Bar Association of Richmond,
with great unanimity and earnestness,
will petition the General Assembly TO
establish o new court here. The Chan
cery Court docket is burdened with an
amount of business beyond the power
of any single Judge to expeditiously dis
pose of. AS the city grows the work
increases, and unless Judge Holiday
is afforded relief litigants will have to
submit to long and tedious delays be-
fore their cases can be heard. 1t Is
proposed to leave to the Chancery
Court of Richmond all the probate bust
ness il now possesses and to divide be-
tween it and the equity court ell the
other business. That will amount TO
putting two judges to work in place OF
one.
Judge Holiday has written to Hon.
George L. Christian, chairman of the
committee of the Bar Association
having charge of the subject, the fol-
lowing letter, which shows how neces-
sary it is to have another court, and
how one can be established without any
draft upon the State Treasury:
OFPIcE oP TIE CHANcEEY COURT OF TBEl
CITY or RICHMOND.
Ny Dear Sir: The establishment Of IN addi-
fionnl court for the city of Richmond, with
ehanccry Jurisdiction. has become an absolute
necessity. No one man, however expeditions
and constant and unremitting he may be IN
his laeors, can read the records, the arguments
Of counsel, and the authorities cited. and give
10 the cases in the Chancery Court that careful
consideration which every conscientious Judge
feels IL his duty 10 bestow and every liugnnt
has right 20 expect at the hands OF tribunal
clothed with power TO determine his rights
and ] am confident that the proper dischargs
of these duties will constantly occupy two
courts. The Chancery Court Of Richmond
every year adtudicate5 rights in-olying many
millions Of dollars; II Is Obliged TO exercise
control over enormous amounts Of money AMI
securities belonging 70 widows, orphans, nn1
others, aud 1t has Jurisdiction In that elias, OF
cases involving the most dinicult and delicate
legal questions, and requiring the most accu-
rate examination and tho most earnest and
discriminating consideration. Under heSe
circumstances the tri1ing cost OF IN additional
court pales into insiRnihcance; but rs matter
of fact the annual revenue 10 the state from
the ChanceYy Court OF Richmond will moro
than nay the expenses OF the two courts.
For four yearsI have labored upon the docket
Of my court systematically and diligently dag
and night, in season and out OF season, from
years end TO years end, without takinga single
days rest during the entire period, except
when felt that 1t was imperauyely required
by rody and mind for the continued and more
efncIent discharge Of my official duties aud
en- perfectly willing 10 do all that strong con-
stitution and untiring industry can accomplish.
But speaking now In the interests Of the litl-
cnnts In the court who have 40 much involved,
! feel that II is my solemn duty 20 urge The
establishment Of an additional court with all
the earnestness OF which / am capable, and
you will please make my views known In such
way as you and my other friends who are Ill
terested on this subject may deom best
The enclosed bill 10 establish the court 81
equity Of tho city Of Richmond, which am In
formed has been prepared and Is recommend
ed by tie Bar Association Of Richmond, meets
with my cordial approval.
Yours, very truly,
ADDISON J.. HOLLADAY.